Asia ODI Series 2023

Super 4s, Match 5, PAK vs SL

Preview

It's time for the do-or-die contest between OAK will take on SL in their last Super 4s match on 14th September 2023. In their last outing at this venue in Colombo, Men in Green suffered a huge defeat at the hands of their arch-rivals Rohit Sharma-led India. PAK bowlers failed to put pressure on the Indian batters as they did in their previous encounter in the Asia ODI Series 2023 group stage. The pitch was great for batting but Babar Azam should take the blame for not executing the right bowling plans.

The Host is a promising side with their spinners in great touch. SL won 13 consecutive matches before coming face to face with team India where they lost the match by 41 runs. The left-handed all-rounder Dunith Wellalage and Charith Asalanka completely shattered the Indian batting order. However, they failed to chase a below-par score and will now be facing Pakistan in a must-win game at the same venue. Pakistan will be missing their key pacers in this match. Their batting is also not consistent and as such, they will be under pressure against a quality Sri Lankan side.

Match Details

Match:  PAK vs SL, Super Fours, 5th Match, Asia ODI Series, 2023

Date: Thursday, September 14, 2023

Time: 3:00 PM

Venue: R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Pitch and Weather Report

This stadium will host the PAK vs SL, Super 4s match of the Asia ODI Series 2023. The average 1st innings score at this venue is just 235 runs and considering the recent outings here, we reckon even that would be a competitive total in this match. Over the past 48 hours, the pitch at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo has received substantial rain, which means there will likely be moisture on the pitch. This moisture could provide some early assistance to fast bowlers, but spinners are expected to become more influential as the match unfolds. The team winning the toss will likely opt to bat first.

Mostly cloudy conditions with a projected maximum temperature of 28 degree celsius is forecasted throughout the match. 

Squads

PAK: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Faheem Ashraf, Usama Mir, Saud Shakeel, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim Jr

SL: Kusal Mendis (wk), Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Kusal Perera, Binura Fernando, Pramod Madushan, Dushan Hemantha

Probable Playing XIs

PAK: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Zaman Khan.

SL: Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (WK), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (C), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana.

Match Prediction

It is a must-win game for both teams. There is no pressure on the NRR as the team that wins this game will qualify for the final. PAK has been dealt big blows after their pacers were injured in the last game. PAK still has a quality bowling attack that can trouble The Host. It seems like a close contest given the batting inconsistency and the bowling ability in both lineups. 

However, with slightly more experience and a more promising batting lineup, Pakistan will have an edge in this match and start as favourites in our match prediction.

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